thank god for make up!

Just thought I'd do a quick post, not just to show you how terrible my skin is at the minute - don't know what it is about being at home that makes it flare up, but it was never this bad at uni!! but also to show you my daily make up routine and how I manage to get my face looking half decent! Think of it as sort of a "get ready with me". I posted this on Instagram earlier too if you saw that!

Basically, to transform myself, I added some curls to my hair using just my normal straighteners that I feel may blow up at any minute, they're that old! I then used my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer on my blemishes, Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation (this is so good, mini review in my October Favourites), Clinique High Impact Mascara (review here), NYC blush in Riverside Rose and today I tried out the Soap and Glory Marvelips which I really like the colour of and, as the first lip crayon I've used, it's really nice and so easy!

Finally, I donned my wooly hat from Primark men's section and was then ready to meet my friend Jade at the pub for drinks and a well needed catch up!

Hope you're all feeling festive by now! 

Em x

Haul #4 Primark + Lush

I'm home for Christmas early as I came down with a bad case of tonsillitis, but I'm feeling a lot better already and have missed the Primark at home so much so couldn't wait to spend some of my birthday money!! Plus,  the A/W stuff is always nicer than S/S! Also, we got a kitten!!!! Sorry about the snapchat haha we didn't have any other selfies!

 I first picked up these fleecey, Christmassy pyjama bottoms with a cuffed ankle for £3!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw them on the sale rail and was immediately drawn to them, pretty sure I'll live in them over my Christmas break! I also got some of the footlets they do for £2.50 and they're tartan and so so snuggley. I'm wearing them now and they have little pompoms on and everything! I bought some for my mum too but shh! I also got one of the thermo-cup things because I thought it was cute and Christmassy and I probably won't use it but just in case, this was £2.50 as well. I got these little crocodile clips because I wear them all the time to pin my hair back and I always lose them, I thought £1 for 8 was a pretty good deal too! And then I picked up a pack of midi rings which I thought were nice because there are gold, silver and black metals and I don't have any midi rings yet so thought these would look quite good. I imagine they'd turn your fingers green though after a day!!

I then picked up this cute burgundy long sleeved crop top with a white heart print on it for £2!!!!! and this brown/grey (it looks different in different lights) thick knit bobble hat which I found in the mens section for £4.

Cheeky kitty!! Lastly, I picked up some disco pants. To be honest, I wasn't aware Primark did disco pants, but these were £5 for the blue ones and £10 for the grey ones. That's £15 for  two pairs!! I also tried them on and they fit really nicely and are pretty tight but not quite tight enough to cut off your circulation which is perfect in my eyes! They're fairly structured too and quite thick so they don't even look cheap. I have some black disco pants from Topshop which were £30 and have gone all bobbly on the top but if these do that I won't mind too much because they're such a good deal!

I then went to Lush which I only seem to go in at this time of year, partly because I rarely have baths but these are just so cute! I got the snowman bath ballistic, the star light, star bright bath melt and the melting snowman bath melt.

 

I've missed going shopping at home, Reading is really good for shopping but their Primark is rubbish and only one floor! It always seems to be last to get the new stock in too so I went a bit wild today. I was hoping to pick up the £5 tartan scarf that they used to do but I haven't been able to find it!!

Hope you've all been enjoying the Christmas spirit so far anyway and you've all finished/finishing school or uni soon!

 

Em x

Harry's lipstick

                    

 

Some of you may have realised that I am a massive One Direction fan and I love my lipsticks so it seemed natural of me, when I found out that the two had merged, to pick up one of these exciting new things from MUA.

 

Obviously as Harry is my favourite, but also because since I've been wearing my glasses more I've wanted to wear more red lipsticks to look classy I chose Be Mine from the Kiss You collection and I don't think the packaging looks too shabby! I love the fact that it is signed underneath the bullet cap but the actual lipstick itself is embossed in 'x's and 'o's which I thought was such an unexpected detail for a £3 lipstick.

 

That's another thing, I don't think I've ever paid less than a fiver for a lipstick so the fact that this is less than that and a complete novelty thing is amazing!

 

 It's quite sheer at first but can be quickly built up to fuller coverage and I actually really like it!

 

Have you tried any of the One Direction range at MUA? What did you think of it?

 

Em x

 

 

October Favourites!

I missed September favourites with the move to uni so despite being busy (or lazy) this month, I'm determined to get my October favourites done!!

 

Firstly, is my frequently raved about Bioderma which you can now get from Amazon (although it seems a bit of a rip off). This seems to feature in most of my favourites but I have completely relied on this since being at uni, especially after nights out when you really can't be bothered to take your make up off but don't want to feel guilty and horrible in the morning. Can't praise this enough and I literally would go specifically to France to get more of it if I had to.

 

Next is a foundation that I found a sample of in the magazine that they give out at uni and loved so much I went and took all the samples out of the magazine pile the next day. I still have a lot of these samples left but I thought I ought to buy the real thing. Rimmel's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation is what I imagine Revlon Colorstay to be like although I haven't tried it and it's half the price. It's a very thick, creamy formula that works really well with oily skin because it completely mattifies it and lasts all day/night. I would say it's probably a high-medium coverage which is good for me as I have awful skin but you really don't need too much.

 

I have also been trying Schwarzkopf's Gliss Liquid Silk Leave-in Conditioner which I use every time I was my hair now, after getting out of the shower and before I use heat protectant to blow dry. I'm not quite sure what it actually does but my hair feels particularly nice after using it so I don't dare stop just yet!

 

Lastly is Benefit's Sugarbomb Blush. This is just the nicest colour ever for my complexion and I really like how you can swirl the four colours around to create slightly different shades. This is my first ever Benefit product and I really want to try more of them. It's perfect for both night and day and isn't too chirpy for the winter months.

 

What are your favourites this month? I'm very much looking forward to it getting colder although the walk to uni will not be nice!

 

Em x

Halloween!!!

 

I've never really made much of a big deal of Halloween back home, but here everyone goes mental for it, particularly for nights out! We celebrated Halloween on Tuesday and Thursday this week going all out, so I thought I'd show you what I went as.

 

The first night out was not really planned so a quick trip to town was required to pick up some face paints and make up and I wore all black.

 

 

We all went for a similar theme! And just as a side note, Lola Lo's is my favourite place to go, so if you're ever in Reading for a night out definitely check it out!

 

Make up wise, I used white face paint all over (although you can't really tell because I'm that pale anyway!), then black face paint to contour and on my eyes to make my skin look sunken and zombie-like and then used red eyeshadow underneath my eyes. I did my eyebrows as normal using MAC's omega- this is so exciting by the way, I now have a MAC palette and am in the process of filling it up!! and then I did standard red lips using Rimmel's Kate Moss 107.

 

 

I was also a cat/leopard on one of the nights. I don't have an ootd shot

unfortunately but I wore a leopard print skirt from Primark and a plain black vest top tucked in. I also wore grey knee high socks pulled down and my grey heeled chelsea boots which are soooo comfy!! And obviously my £1 cat ears!

 

Make up this time was pretty standard, I think I used Rimmel's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation, Benefit's Sugarbomb Blush, MAC's woodwinked on my eyes along with lots of NYC's High Definition Felt Tip Eyeliner which I also used for my nose and whiskers, Maybelline The Falsies mascara and I think it was the Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle.

 

What did you go as for Halloween and did you have a good night? Must start planning for next year so I want to know what you went as this year!!

 

Em x

life as a fresher

So I've been at uni for 5 weeks today, hence the lack of blogposts.

I'm at the University of Reading studying English Lit for anyone that doesn't know (hehe reading at Reading) and I'm loving it so so so much I can't even put into words how happy I am here.

 

We had freshers fortnight when I first arrived so I got to meet everyone really quickly and experience some of the best nights out, it was honestly my favourite two weeks ever! It's amazing how well I've settled in and how many people I've met who I instantly get on with. I've not been homesick at all which has completely surprised me, and I just want to stay at this point in my life forever at the minute.

 

Obviously work wise I have a lot to do, multiple essays every week and background reading and catching up even though I haven't missed anything but I feel like I have the balance between work and socialising.

 

I'm staying in halls and it's set out like a long corridor rather than flats so there are always people around and you're never really on your own and everyone is just so nice.

 

Here are some pictures from freshers and to anyone who is in the process of applying to uni or thinking about, definitely do it! My experience with applying to uni was the most stressful thing, I almost wasn't go to go this year and give myself a gap year to get my thoughts together but I could not be more happy with my decision to come here!

 

And to anyone who is already at uni, I hope you're having the best time too!

 

 

If you have any questions or you'd like me to do more posts on my uni experience let me know.

Hope you're all fabulous

 

Em x

Posh hair!!

 

I've just had my hair done properly at a salon for the first time and I absolutely love it now!! I got it coloured to a neutral, natural looking blonde colour a few shades lighter than my natural colour along with a wash, cut and blowdry- including a cheeky head massage whilst sat in the massage chair with my feet up during the washing process!

I went to a salon called George's where my Mum and Auntie go and they were the nicest ever, if you live in the area definitely go and I have a recommend a friend discount I can give you too!!

I'm going again on Saturday for my complimentary blowdry and style before I leave for uni on Sunday- not even started getting ready yet, but just thought I'd do a quick post on my new do!!

Where do you get your hair done and what do you have done when you're there??
 

Em x

My Memory Jar

This is completely different to what I normally post but you know I like to switch it up a bit!

 

At the start of the new year, I vowed to myself that I would make a note of everything good that happens to me throughout the year so I can look back on it at the end of the year and smile at all the memories I've made in only one year.

I saw this idea on tumblr probably like 2 years ago but it just stuck with me (along with the newspaper nail art that I still haven't got round to trying).

 

Basically I just found an empty jar (or if you can't find one, I used my favourite mug for a while) and every time I've had a nice day or something good has happened to me or I just feel good, I write down the date on a post-it note or piece of paper along with what made my day, fold it up and stick it in the jar.

I've found this to be a particularly good year to do this as I have had a very rocky time, especially throughout January and the start of the year, but now I get to look back and not focus on those difficult times and only the positive things that have happened. It's good to recall important events too, such as the date I found out I was officially going to uni after so much drama about that, and just whenever I've made an effort to go out with friends and we've ended up having the biggest laugh!

 

Just thought I'd share this idea with you in case any of you want to do it as well. Even though it's not new year, it's a fresh start for me starting uni in just over a week and you can decide to change your outlook whenever you want to.

 

Hope you liked this slightly different post, I'd love to know what kind of things you do to stay positive/be sentimental.

 

Em x

Autumn Wishlist: Fashion

 

 

Clockwise from top: Grey Jumper | Topshop Lace Up Worker Boots | Grey Boyfriend Tshirt | Burgundy Textured Skater Skirt | Heart Print Tshirt | Grey Sweater | Heart Print Shirt | Leather Look Skater Skirt

 

As I leave for uni this time in 2 weeks, I am in desperate need of clothes for the new season and also so I can last longer before I have to do my washing!! Here are some things I've been lusting after, and you might be able to tell they're all budget-friendly (except for the boots) so I think I might actually get my hands on some of these soon.

 

As you may be able to tell, I'm not a major fan of colour, especially in the Autumn/Winter and all of these I think can be worn whether I'm off to a lecture or trying to make myself feel less hungover as I embark on my way to the shops to pick up juice.

 

My favourite are the boots, I had a pair similar two years ago but they were beige and suede and even when they fell apart I got another pair straight away which lasted me just through until winter last year so I need my next replacements. They're just so easy to wear with my usual style of leggings and can toughen up a dress and these not being suede might last a bit longer and be more useful in the rain. They're also fur lined so they'd be super cosy to wear with tights, yay!

 

I've thrown in a couple of jumpers to layer up when the colder weather comes and I can wear these with the skater skirts that I've included. I love the burgundy colour but this also comes in dark green which I love and a few other colours so I think I'll end up getting a few of these.

 

I've also got my eye on the infamous £5 Primark skater dresses that come in similar colours but they're not online, they seem just so quick to throw on and then you've got like a whole outfit, perfect if I wake up late and have to go into uni.

 

The tshirts are again very easy to wear with leggings (if you get it in a size up so it's a bit baggier) and also jeans and tucked into skirts, but the shirt is probably my favourite clothing item. It's so my style, worn done up over leggings or tucked into disco pants, the heart print is so cute so it doesn't look too smart either.

 

What have you got your eye on for Autumn?

Also, ust a quick question, I'm thinking about getting the Topshop Leigh jeans (way behind the bandwagon, I know) and wondered if any of you would recommend them for the price??

 

Hope you're all good and looking forward to Autumn and Winter like I am!

 

Em x

Autumn Wishlist: Beauty

 

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR in On and On Bronze | MAC Custom Palette Eye Shadow x 15 | Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin in Ivory | Real Techniques Starter Set | Alpha H Liquid Gold

 

With every new season, I find myself lusting after many new products. As I'm hoping to be off to uni this month (still waiting to see if I can have accommodation in halls- stress), a whole lot of new stuff needs to be bought, including make up and clothes- fashion wishlist coming soon, so these are some of things I want for Autumn/Uni.

 

I loooove my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe and it is a perfect neutral/Autumn colour but everyone has On and On Bronze and it's such a wearable colour so I really want to try this in the Autumn.

 

Secondly, and probably the thing I want the most out of everything, is my own MAC palette. I'm sure you all know that you can build your own palettes to include colours that you like and will wear but it is a very long and expensive process. I'm sure everyone has had the dream to own one of these babies. The colours I'd choose are listed below the palette which I was able to select on the MAC website so if you want to pretend to live the dream, definitely check that out!

 

The Revlon Colorstay Foundation is something I've wanted for a while but recently, I've noticed more and more people talking about it and it seems as though it is a sign for me to get it. I like a foundation with good coverage as you know I have troubled skin that has had to deal with horrible spots for many years and I've heard such good things about it. If you have tried this, do let me know what you think, it's slightly more expensive than a normal foundation that I would go for so I want to make sure I'll definitely like it before I buy it.

 

My relationship with Real Techniques brushes, I feel, will be an everlasting one and as I'm getting more and more into eye make up, the starter set is definitely on my wishlist. I like how each brush has a specific purpose but you can still use them for whatever you like too as they're so versatile. Such good brushes and I highly recommend trying them if you want to kick start your brush collection.

 

Finally, I still want to try Alpha H Liquid Gold. I'm not sure if many people use this anymore but about a year ago this was one of the most hyped up products on the internet and the idea that something could make a difference to my skin so quickly is something I'm very interested in. I still haven't found anything that will sort my skin out, despite my love for the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range, but I think my skin must have just got used to it a bit as it's not working as well anymore. So, I'm after some Alpha H and anything else you can recommend to me?!

 

What's on your Autumn wishlist??

August Favourites!

Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection | Revlon Lash Potion Mascara | Barry M Nail Paint in Mushroom | Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24HR in Tough as Taupe | Bioderma Soluiton Micellaire

It's that time again! The 1st September marks the end of Summer for me, which is sad but Autumn/Winter is definitely my favourite time of year. August has been one of my favourite and busiest months this year! For starters, I went to America which I did a series of posts about here, I also got my A Level results and when I found out I didn't get in to my dream university I had to do a lot of sorting out to find a course at another university and then I've been spending lots of time with my friends, my boyfriend and my family before everything changes in a month and we all end up all over the country!

Anyway, the things I have been using a lot this month are all brand/relatively new to me that I picked up in July. Firstly, I got my first Real Techniques brushes from Walmart in the states and they are absolutely amazing. I expected them to be because of all the hype, but seriously, if you're thinking about getting some, definitely do it! I got the Core Collection 2.0 which I can no longer find so I think it may be discontinued but it still has the perfect brushes to give you a great base to your make up.

The Revlon Lash Potion Mascara I have raved about here so I won't go into too much detail, but this has been my go-to mascara throughout August.

I haven't yet had a nail polish in my favourites purely because I hate painting my nails, it's so messy and it always smudges and looks terrible and takes forever to dry so if you have any tips let me know. But I absolutely love this colour and Barry M polishes have always been a hit with me because they're so cheap, when I manage to chip them after only one day and feel the need to pick them completely off I don't feel guilty. Nude nails are my absolute fave and this has a more brown tone to it so I think it would look good on anyone. I have put this on twice on my fingers and twice on my toes- this is the true test of me liking a nail polish, the return paintjob! I have a feeling a will be wearing this a lot in the upcoming A/W months too.

I picked up a Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Florida partly due to the hype, but also because I'm still relatively new to make up and barely wear eyeshadow or anything. I have a couple of palettes, but this is the perfect base and wear-on-its-own colour too. It's builable and can be smoked out for a night-look and it's sheer enough for day too. Love this and at £4.99 they're a complete steal, definitely going to get more colours! The colour I have is Tough as Taupe but it's called Permanent Taupe.

My last proper favourite is of course my Bioderma. This really is as good as everyone says it is, removing make up with a quick swipe all over the face. The lovely Chloe at FrenchCares saw my what I'm taking on holiday post and told me about her online boutique that sells all this lovely skincare and more for all you  bargain hunters like me. It's priced in euros but the exchange rate works out much cheaper, even cheaper than what I paid for mine from a french pharmacy! She ships internationally, and I'm just waiting for my products to run out so I can order more from her,  definitely check her out.

My last favourite is Best Song Ever, it has literally been my song of the Summer and I can't help but dance and sing along. Can't believe this video has 94 million views though!

What have you been loving this month? Has anything big happened for you? Also, if you're going to uni like I am in a few weeks, let me know. I think I'm going to do a haul of all the things I'm going to take with me so that could be fun.

Hope you're all well.

Em x

Let's Bake: A Flapjack Treat!

A very basic recipe this time around, but flapjack is one of my favourite things to make and eat! I personally love it packed with dried fruit but we didn't have any in the house for this spontaneous bake.

You will need:

100g/4oz margarine
50g/2oz Demerara sugar (I just used normal sugar though)
2 tbsp golden syrup
125g/5oz rolled oats
25g/1oz plain flour

Melt the margarine, sugar and syrup over a low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is a liquid.

Grease a small tin.

Then take the pan off the heat and stir in the oats and flour.

Press the mixture into the tin and smooth over so it is an even depth all over.

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

 Melt some chocolate (you don't need very much about 50g?) in a bowl over another bowl or pan filled with boiled water.

 Now, the fun bit! Dip each piece into the melted chocolate to give it a chocolate covered edge. You can cover it as much or as little as you like.

Not the most attractive to look at but pretty damn tasty!

Again, this is a recipe I've been using for ages from Be-Ro which I can't find online but I tweak it as I go along.

Hope you enjoyed this post and if you ever recreate something you've seen on here, please let me know on twitter @emilaaarblog it would make my day!

Florida Update #3

This is way too long overdue, but I never finished the "what I've been up to in Florida" posts, missing out on the highlight of my whole holiday! Since the boys went to the Kennedy Space Centre, we went to Blizzard Beach- a melted ski resort water park with some huge slides although no photos to show for it since we didn't want damaged cameras, should have got a GoPro! Then after that, we hit Universal Studios for a second time- see that huge roller coaster in the background? We went on it!!! So cool, although it videos your reactions as you're on it, I don't pull pretty faces let's just say that!

Also, in Universal Studios is Springfield! We took full advantage of this and headed to Moe's where we met Barney with Chief Wiggan waiting outside with a donut to sort out any mischief!

 

After Universal, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe to eat, the largest one in the world! It was so nice and such a cool place to chill in, yes that is a Mustang hanging from the ceiling!

 The next day was Discovery Cove- my favourite day of the whole holiday! We donned our wetsuits and snorkels ready for a day of swimming with tropical fish, rays and dolphins!!

 Just chasing some rays!

 Later that day, I married a dolphin called Marian, we had a whirlwind romance and it topped off the most perfect day. If you ever get the chance, go to Discovery Cove, it has a capacity of 1,000 guests so no where is ever too crowded and they also have an aviary of birds that land on you and eat out of your hands, it's like a fairy tale!

After such a perfect day in Discovery Cove, complete with all inclusive food and drinks, we were still not fish-ed out yet so headed off to Seaworld again the next day!

Still can't understand how amazing marine mammals can be! I had goosebumps the whole day, by far one of my favourite things we did while we were there!

 On our last full day in Florida, we went back to Typhoon Lagoon with the huge wave pool (you can see one brewing in the last picture) and we took great pride in the fact we were first ones in the pool! Having exhausted ourselves and nearly drowning several times under the 6ft waves we went back to our villa to soak up the last bit on luxury and pack our things up while the boys put on the LCFC football game on TV so we didn't miss out on anything back home!

On the way to the airport home, we went for our last Five Guys meal which was a perfect end to our stay in Orlando and we then got on our plane to Newark.

 The views flying into New York were amazing, although not very clear, it was so cool!

After one last Starbucks in America we boarded our flight back to London. Such an amazing holiday, wish I could go back and do it all again!

If you're going to America any time soon, do let me know so I can get all excited/jealous of you!

Em x